Boats



Sept. 29, 1970 L. E. LEVINSON BOATS Filed se t. 12. 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENIOR. Louls E. Levlnson I'll: EL M3 N O s m v E L E L 7 Sept. 29,, 1970 S T A O B Filed Sept. 12', 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 .INVENTOR. LOU-IS E. Levlnson Fig.2

Sept. 29;, 1970 L. E. LEVINSON BOATS Filed Sept. 12. 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.4

INVENTOR. Louis E. Levinson ATTORNEYS Fig. i4

P 1970 E. LEVINSON 3,530,519

BOATS Filed Sept. 12, 1968 s Sheets-Sheet 35 as 133 29 fi mull '25 I 129 INVENTOR. LouisE. Levinson BY WM p 1970 L. E. LEVINSON 3,530,519

7 BOATS mea Sept 12, 1968 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Louis E. Levinson I BY W Sept. 29, 1970 L. E. LEVINSON 3,530,519

BOATS Filed Sept. 12, 1968 6 Shoots-Sheet G I '1 w Y -j I l I INYENTOR. Louis E.Lev|nson Fig.l7

ATTORNEYS United States Patent (Mike U.S. Cl. 91 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A boat transportable over highways which has a central section and two side section provided at their outer side portions with pontoons, the side sections being pivotal on the central section about spaced longitudinal axes between extended positions wherein the pontoons support the central section above the surface of the water and upper retracted positions wherein the pontoons are spaced above the central section, the side sections and the central section forming a closed chamber when the side sections are in their retracted positions, the central section and the side sections providing a deck of relatively great width and area when the side sections are in their extended positions.

This invention relates to boats and more particularly to a boat which is transportable over land.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved boat of great stability and large deck area when afloat on water, but which is of relatively narrow width when placed in condition for transport over land.

Another object is to provide a boat whose maximum width, when placed in condition for transport over land, is within the legal permissible width established for vehicles which travel on highways.

Still another object is to provide a boat having retractable wheels whereby it may be moved over land by a towing vehicle.

A further object is to provide a boat having a central section and pair of longitudinal side sections pivotally secured to the central section for movement about longitudinal parallel axes between lower extended positions wherein the side sections extend outwardly of the central section and upper retracted positions wherein the side sections extend above the central section.

A still further object is to provide a boat of the type described wherein the side sections are provided with pontoons which extend outwardly and downwardly of the central section when the side sections are in their extended positions whereby the central section of the boat is maintained above the surface of the water and the boat is very stably afloat and the buoyancy provided by the pontoons permits great loads to be carried safely by the boat.

A still further object is to provide a boat wherein each of the side sections is provided with a side wall and transverse front and back end walls and the side sections, when pivoted to an upright position on the central section, form with the central section a closed chamber in which articles may be stored for transport.

Another object is to provide a boat of a type described, wherein the wheels are mounted on the central section laterally outwardly of the deck portion of the central section and are retractable into suitable downwardly open housings on the side sections.

An important object of the invention is to provide a boat of the type described wherein the height of the side wall of each side section is one-half the width of the deck portion of the central section of the boat whereby the side walls form a top wall over the deck portion of the central section when in their upper retracted positions.

3,530,519 Patented Sept. 29, 1970 Another object is to provide a boat 'of the type described having means for securing the side sections to one another when in their retracted positions and means for rigidly securing the side sections to the central sec-- tion when in their extended positions.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a boat embodying the invention with some parts broken away, showing it afloat on water;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the boat, with portions broken away, and its side sections in their extended positions;

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the boat in its floating position;

FIG. 4 is a rear end view of the boat showing the side sections in their retracted positions;

FIG. 5 is a front end view of the boat with its side sections in their retracted positions;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, with some parts broken away, of the boat with the side sections in their extended position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the boat with its side sections in their retracted positions;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1010 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary exploded view showing the means for mounting a canopy over the boat;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top view showing a means for mounting an outboard motor on the boat;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-13;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 2 of a latch assembly of the boat;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the latch assembly shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 1616 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the latch assembly in unlocked position;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1818 of FIG. 17; and,

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1919 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the boat 20 embodying the invention includes a central section 21 and a pair of side sections 22 and 22a which are secured to the central section for pivotal movement about parallel longitudinal axes. The central section includes a rectangular frame 24 having outer longitudinal side members 25 and 26, a front end member 27 and a rear end member 28 which are rigidly secured to one another, as by welding. The frame also includes a pair of longitudinal spaced brace members 29 and 30 which extend between and are welded to the frame end members, a plurality of spaced inner transverse brace members 32 which extend between the longitudinal brace members and are welded thereto, a plurality of spaced outer transverse brace members 33 which extend between and are welded to the longitudinal brace member 29 and the side frame member 25, and a plurality of spaced transverse members 34 which extend between and are welded to the longitudinal brace member 30 and the side frame member 26. The rear transverse brace member 35 extends between and is welded to the longitudinal brace members while the other transverse brace members extend the full width 3 of the frame and are welded to both the longitudinal brace members and the side frame members. A tow bar 36 having members 36a secured to the front end member has a hitch member 37 by means of which the boat may be towed by an automobile or other self-propelled vehicle.

The boat may travel over land on a pair of wheels 38 which are mounted for movement between their operative lower positions illustrated in FIGS. and 7, and upper retracted positions above the frame by any suitable mount means 39 secured to the frame members in any suitable manner. Any suitable mount means 39, for example, such as those disclosed in the patent to Louis E. Levinson, No. 3,090,793, issued Aug. 28, 1963, may be used.

The central section includes a planar deck member 40 of any suitable material as, for example, aluminum, and may be secured to the frame 24 by welding, screws, bolts or the like. If desired, of course, the deck could be formed of wood and the like.

In the form of the boat illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, an engine housing 41 is secured to the central section and may extend below the deck member and the frame so that the drive shaft 43 of the engine mounted in the housing is positioned below the deck member and may have a connector shaft 44 connected thereto by a suitable universal coupling 45. The lower end of the connector shaft 44, on whose bottom end a propeller 47 is mounted, extends rotatably through a bushing 49 welded or otherwise secured to a U-shaped bracket 50 whose arms are rigidly secured to bars 51 by bolts 52 which extend through suitable aligned apertures in the arms of the bracket 50 and the bars 52. The upper ends of the bars are secured by bolts 54 to brackets 55 which are rigid with the transverse brace member 35 of the frame. The bars may have a number of vertically spaced apertures through which the bolts 52 may extend so that the vertical position of the propeller may be adjusted.

During the transport of the vehicle over land, the bracket 50 is disconnected from the arms 48 and the arms 48 themselves are disconnected from the brackets 55. The bracket 50 may then be secured directly to the brackets 55 thus holding the propeller in the raised position illustrated in FIG. 5. If desired, of course, the propeller itself may be removed and disconnected from the shaft.

The deck member may have a room 60 mounted thereon which comprises a bottom rectangular section 61 over which is telescopical a top rectangular section '62.

The two sections may have forwardly opening doors 63. t

The exact structure of the room being no part of this invention, it will not be described herein, but any suitable means, such as bolts, may be used to secure the top room section to the bottom room section when it is in its upper position. The room may be used as a dressing room or storage room and may be furnished with sanitary facilities.

The central section of the boat at its forward end may be provided with steps 65 and a harpoon deck 66 which is pivotally connected to the front wall 67, which extends upwardly from the deck member 40, by suitable hinges 68 so that the harpoon deck may be pivoted in a clockwise manner, FIG. 1, on the deck 40 when the boat is to be transported over land. The harpoon deck is held in its upper position, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, by a pair of bars 69 whose upper ends are secured by bolts 70 to downwardly extending lugs 71 of the harpoon deck and whose lower ends are securable by bolts 72 to the upwardly extending lugs 73 on the tow bar members 36a.

The side section 22 includes a rectangular deck member 80 which may be formed of a suitable metal, such as aluminum or the like, which are secured in any suitable manner, as by welding, bolts, or the like, a front wall 81, a side wall 82, and a rear wall 83, which are provided with outwardly extending connector strips 84, 85, and 86, respectively. Each of the Walls includes a planar member 87 of metal and siutable frame 88 to which the metal planar member is secured in any suitable manner. The front wall 81 is positioned forwardly of the front wall 67 of the central section so that when the side section 22 is pivoted upwardly the front wall 81 may be free to move forwardly of the central section front wall 67. Similarly, the rear wall 83 is positioned rearwardly of the rear wall of the top cabin section so that the rear wall 83 may move rearwardly of the cabin as the side section 22 is pivoted upwardly. The side section 22 is pivotedly connected to the central section by suitable hinges 90 secured to the deck members.

The pontoon 92 of the side section 22 is of any suitable structure and may include an outer metal shell 93 which is filled with an expanded or cellular plastic substance 94 which provides great buoyancy to the pontoon. The side section has a pair of longitudinal frame members 96 and a plurality of transverse members 97 Welded to one another to which the shell and the deck member 80 are secured as by welding, screws, or the like.

The transverse frame members 97, when the side section 22 is in its upper retracted position, have their lower end portions extending downwardly of the central frame and between the central frame members 25 and 29, and when the side section is in its extended position, these lower end portions underlie the longitudinal frame member 29 and the brace frame members 32. Each frame member 97 has an upper surface which abuts the bottom surface of the bottom flange of the longitudinal brace member 32 which it underlies and has a connector loop 99 which is adapted to extend upwardly through a slot 100 in the bottom flange of such frame member 32 and the slot 101 of a block 102 secured to the bottom flange.

The connector loops 99, the block 102, and the latch assemblies 103 mounted on each of the frame members 32, are employed to rigidly secure the inner ends of the frame members 97 to the central section frame members 32 when the side section 22 is in its extended position. The bottom flange of the longitudinal brace member 25 is provided with slots 104, in alignment with the frame members 97, to permit their pivotal movement to positions underlying and contacting the transverse brace frame members 32. Reinforcing bars 105 are preferably welded to the web of the member 25 which span such slots.

Each of the latch assemblies 103 includes a base 106 which is rigidly mounted, as by means of bolts, to brackets 107 welded to the brace frame member 32 with which the latch assembly is associated, a lever 108 which is pivotally mounted by a pin 109 on the outer end of the post 110 integral with the base, and a handle 111 pivotally connected to the rear end of the lever by a pin 112 and to the outer end of a link 113 by a pin 114, the inner end of the link being connected to a post 115 of the base by a pin 116. A rod 113a is secured, as by welding, to the outer end of the lever 108 and the forward end portion of the rod extends into an end recess 116a in a pin 117. Forward movement of the pin on the rod is limited by the engagement of the internal annular flange of a retainer nut 117a, threaded on the inner end of the pin, with the external annular flange 118 on the rod. The pin is biased outwardly by a spring 119 which bears against the surfaces 120 and 121 of the pin and the flange of the rod, respectively. The pin has a frusto-conical or beveled forward end portion 122 which is movable into a connector loop 99 for engagement therewith and with the top surface of the block 102 of the brace member 32 on which the latch assembly is mounted. The pin 122 is, of course, somewhat loosely mounted on the rod, as is the lever on the post 110 and the handle on the link to permit some movement of the pin relative to the base and the frame member 32. The locations of the axes of pivotal connections of the lever to the base, of the handle to the link, and of the link to the base is such that when the handle lever is in its operative position, illustrated in FIG. 16, any force tending to move the outer end of the lever outwardly tends to lock the lever in its operative position. As the handle is pivoted inwardly toward the base, it moves the outer end of the lever and the pin 117 toward a loop 90 which extends through the slots in the bottom flange of the brace member 32 and the block 102 and, before it reaches its fully latched position, the move ment of the pin 117 is arrested due to its wedging engagement with the arcuate portion of the loop and with the block. The spring 119 is then compressed as the outer end of the rod continues to move inwardly into the recess 116a of the pin as the lever completes its movement to its fully latched position. The spring now biases the pin inwardly through the connector loop thus holding the inner end of the brace member against downward movement. The spring also biases the lever outwardly and thus holds it in its operative latched or locked position. The deck member 40 of the central section of the boat above the latch assemblies 103 is provided with apertures closed by doors 123 which may be pivotally connected to the deck member in any suitable manner, as by hinges. The handles of the latch assemblies are accessible through these apertures when the doors are opened.

The deck member of the side section 22, inwardly of the pontoon, has a plurality of connector loops 124 which are adapted to extend through the slots 125 and 125m in the top flange of the outer side member 25 and of blocks 125b secured to the top flange of the side member 25 when the side section is in its extended position. Latch assemblies 126 mounted on brackets 127 welded to the side member 25 are engageable with the blocks and such connector loops to releasably and rigidly secure the side section to the outer frame member 25. The latch assemblies 126 being identical to the latch assemblies 103, they will not be described further.

The deck member 82 is provided with apertures closable by doors 128 above the latch assemblies through which access may be had to the handles of the latch assemblies.

Since the transverse members 97 extend below the deck member 80, the side member 25 of the frame 24 has depressed portions 129 providing upwardly opening recesses in which the transverse members are receivable when the side section 22 is moved to its extended position. These recesses may be of such dimensions that the engagement of the surfaces of the outer member 25 defining the forward and rear ends of the recesses with the transverse members 97 will help hold the side section against longitudinal movement relative to the central section.

The other side member 26 of the frame 24 has similar depressed portions 129a providing recesses in which the transverse members 97a of the frame 95a of the other side section 22a are receivable when the side section 22a is in its extended position.

If desired, the inner ends of the frame members 97 may be connected by longitudinal brace members, not shown, at their inner ends which would extend between adjacent pairs of frame members 97 and be welded thereto. While the side sections 22 and 22a have been shown as each having only three transverse members 97 and 97a and their associated locking means for rigidly securing the members 97 and 97a to the central section frame, it will be apparent that the number of these members and locking means may be varied as required by the length of the boat and to the wave and wind conditions to which it may be subjected. Similarly, more than three loops 124 and 124a and latching assemblies 126 and 12611 may be provided.

The front and rear walls 81 and 83 have sector gears 131 and 132, rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, whose common central axis is coincident with the longitudinal axis of pivotal movement of the section 22. The sector gears are movable through suitable slots 133 and 134 of the front and rear frame members 27 and 28, respectively, and are engageable by gears 135 and 136 rigidly secured to a shaft 138 which extends through suitable aligned apertures in the flanges of the front and rear frame members 27 and 28 and is suitably journaled therein. The shaft also extends through aligned apertures in the flanges of the channel member 32 and 35 of the frame.

The rear end of the shaft has a rectangular end portion 140 on which a suitable socket of an L-shaped handle may be positioned so that the operator may rotate the shaft by means of the handle to raise or lower the side sections.

The deck member 80 of the section 22 is provided with a downwardly opening aperture 142 in which the wheel mount 39 and the wheel on the left side of the boat may enter into a well or housing 143 secured in any suitable manner to the deck member. The well, of course, has a removable cover 144 so that access may be had to the wheel mount. The well, when it is covered, may be used as a seat.

The side section 22 is biased upwardly toward its retracted position by torsion bars 145 each of which has one end rigidly secured, as by a pin, welding, or the like, to a bracket 147 welded to the longitudinal frame member 29 and which extends rotatably through a bracket 148 also secured to the frame member 29. Each torsion bar has an arm 149 provided with a roller 150 which engages the outer surface of the deck member 80. The deck member 80 may have a reinforcing member 80b at the location of engagement of the roller therewith.

It will be apparent that as the side section pivots downwardly from its retracted to its extended position, the torsion bar yieldably resists suchmovement as it is twisted about its longitudinal axis. The torsion bars, therefore, exert an upward force on the side section 22 when it is in its extended position and the force necessary to be applied to the shaft 138 to move the side section 22 between its extended and retracted positions is thus reduced. The torsion bars thus facilitate the movement of the side section between its extended and retracted positions. While only two torsion bars 145 have been shown, it will be apparent that the number of torsion bars provided may be increased as desired, depending on the length and weight of the side section 22.

The side section 22a of the boat and the means by which it is secured to the central section being identical to the side section 22 and the means by which the side section is secured to the central section, the elements of the section 22a and the means by which it is secured to the central section have been provided with the same reference numerals, to which the subscript a has been added, as the corresponding elements of the section 22 and the means by which it is secured to the central section.

Since the width of the cabin is less than the distance between the inner ends of the rear walls when the side sections are in their extended positions, a pair of angle members 146 are hingedly connected to the side walls of the cabin and are pivotable outwardly to close these spaces as easily seen in FIG. 6. The angle members are pivoted inwardly against the cabin and walls to permit upward pivotal movement of the side sections to their retracted positions.

The side sections, when they are in their upper retracted positions, may be held connected by channel connectors 151, 152 and 153, which engage the outwardly extending flanges of the adjacent walls of the side sections. For example, referring particularly to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the flanges 83 and 83a of the rear walls of the sections 22 and 22a, respectively, are adjacent one another as illustrated in FIG. 10, when the side sections are in their retracted positions and a channel shaped lock member 153 is then slid downwardly over the two channel members and then holds the flanges against outward movement relative to each other. Similarly, the lock member 152 is slid over the flanges 84 and 84a of the side walls of the two sections and the lock member 153 is slid over the flanges 85 and 85a of the front walls. The top lock member 152 may be made of sufiicient length so as to extend over the top ends of the lock members 151 and 153 and thus prevent any rain from entering into the closed chamber formed by the three boat sections. If desired, of course, additional latching or locking means may be provided to hold the two sections of the boat in their retracted positions.

Assuming now that the boat is in its position illustrated in FIGS. 4, and 7 and has been transported to the location at which it is to be launched, the lock strips 151, 152 and 153 are then removed and the side sections are moved to their extended positions by use of an appropriate handle and the rotation of the shafts 138 and 138a. As the side sections are thus pivoted to their extended positions, the mounts 39 enter through the apertures 142 and 142a in the deck members 80 and 80a into the wells.

The connector loops 99 and 99a move upwardly through the slots in the bottom flanges of the brace members 32 and the blocks 102 and the loops 124 and 124a and of the blocks 125b secured thereto move downwardly through the slots in the top flanges of the outer frame members and 26 and of the blocks -125b secured thereto. The doors on the deck members 40, 80 and 80a above the latch assemblies are then opened, the latch assemblies are then moved to their operative positions by appropriate movement of their handles to cause the pins of the latch assemblies rigidy to engage the connector loops 99 and 99a, 124 and 124a and the blocks through whose slots they extend and rigidly connect the side sections to the frame. Each of the side sections is thus rigidly connected to the frame of the central section at a plurality of laterally and longitudinally spaced locations. The boat is then moved down the ramp on its wheels until it is afloat.

The covers of the wells are now opened or removed and the wheels are moved to their retracted positions in the wells. The connector shaft 144 is then secured to the engine drive shaft and secured by means of the bracket 50 and the bars 51 to the brackets 55. The harpoon deck may now be pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction, FIG. 1, and secured in the forward horizontal position above the tow bar by means of the bars 69. The top section of the room may then be raised to its upper position so that the room may then be used.

If desired, a canopy or shelter 200 may then be erected over the rear portion of the boat by inserting the vertical rods 201 in the tubular sockets 202 connected to the frames of the side walls of the two sections and rigidly securing the posts to the socket by means of pins 203. A plastic or canvas sheet 204 of the canopy, which has front and rear rods 205 extending through the elongate passages provided by folding over end portions of the sheet and sewing them to the body of the sheet, is then connected to the top ends of the front and rear posts by means of threaded studs 206 mounted on the plates 207 on the upper ends of the posts which extend through the apertures 208 in the flattened end portions of the rods. Wing nuts 210 may then be threaded on the posts.

Any suitable rudder for steering the boat may be mounted on the rear end of the boat by any suitable brackets, not shown.

When it is desired to move the boat from the water and transport it over land, the above sequence of operations is reversed.

The maximum width of vehicles allowed to travel on the highways of most states is 8 feet and it is, therefore, required that the boat, when in its retracted condition, not have a width at any point along its length of more than 8 feet. In order to provide a boat having great stability and a maximum width of deck which is provided by the deck members of the three sections, it is preferred that each of the deck members he 4 feet wide, so that the boat when in its floating position has a deck 12 feet wide and the central vertical planes of the pontoons are spaced apart a distance of about nine feet. This wide spacing of the pontoons prevents the boat from being capsized under almost any extreme weather and wave conditions.

The walls of the two side sections are approximately 2 feet high so that when the side sections are moved to their retracted positions, the deck members and 80a of the two side sections extend vertically, the combined width of the two side walls is approximately four feet and the side walls are parallel to and spaced four feet above the deck member 40 of the central section. The pontoons may have an effective height of nearly two feet each, i.e., two feet minus the thickness of the deck members 80 and 80a, so that the distance between the opposite bottom end surfaces of the pontoons, which are substantially vertical when the side sections are in their retracted positions, is eight feet or slightly less.

It will also be seen that the total area of the main deck, if the boat is 20 feet long, is 240 square feet so that a very large area is provided for the use of the occupants of the boat. In addition, the harpoon deck which may be four feet square, provides an additional deck area of sixteen square feet. The height of the railing 215 of the harpoon deck is less than four feet so that when the harpoon deck is pivotel to its retracted position, the railing will engage the deck member 40 and the side walls of the two side sections can move thereover as the side sections are pivoted to their upper retracted positions. In addition, since the pontoons, which are approximately 20 feet long, provide great buoyancy so that it may carry a very great load without sinking too deeply into the water.

It will also be apparent that various equipment and supplies may be transported in the chamber provided by the three sections of the boat when the boat is placed in condition for transport over land and that the provision of the lock members for the flanges of the Walls of the two sections prevents precipitation from entering into such chamber.

Referring now particularly to FIGS 12 and 13, the boat 20 is shown modified by the provision of a mount frame 200 for an outboard motor 201. The motor mount frame may comprise inner and outer members 203 and 204, respectively, connected by side members 205 and 206. The inner member 203 may be secured to the rear frame member 28 of the boat by welding and the outboard motor is securable to the outer member 204 by the usual clamp 207. Suitable control cables will, of course, be connected to the handle 2.08 of the motor by means of which the motor may be rotated on its mount 209 by an occupant on the boat to steer the boat. The distance the transverse frame members 97 and 97a of the two side sections 22 and 22a extend below the central section frame may be shortened if desired in which case it may be necessary to reverse the longitudinal orientation of the latch assemblies 103 and 10311 so that the levers 108 and 108a and the blocks 102 and 102a would be near to shafts 138 and 13811, respectively, and the handles 111 and 111a would be remote therefrom.

It will not be apparent that a new and improved boat has been illustrated and described which has a central section and two side sections pivotally connected to the central section and movable betwen upper vertical retracted positions and lower extended positions about longitudinal parallel spaced axes and that each of the sections may have a deck member approximately four feet wide, which deck members are in horizontal alignment when the side sections are pivoted to their lower extended positions.

It will further be seen that each of the side sections at its laterally outer portion is provided with a pontoon or float means which extends downwardly and outwardly of the central section when the side sections are in their extended positions.

It will further be seen that the boat is provided with means for rigidly securing the side sections to the central section when the side sections are in their extended positions at a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced locations.

It will further be seen that, if desired, a cabin structure may be mounted on the deck member of the central section and that a deck may be provided at the front of the central section which is pivotal into a horizontal position over the tow bar secured to the front end of the central section.

It will further be seen that a boat has been illustrated and described which may be easily transported over highways since it has a maximum width within the prescribed legal limit for vehicles traveling on highways, and that notwithstanding this narrow width when being transported over the highways, the boat when placed in condition for floatation on water is of relatively great width and is buoyantly supported at laterally widely spaced locations along the outer side portions thereof to provide great stability for the boat.

It will further be seen that the latch assemblies and connector loops provide a quickly operable means for rigidly connecting and disconnecting the side sections to and from the central section and that the beveled configuration of the pins of the latch assemblies and the biasing action of their springs causes the pins to exert forces tending to hold the side sections in their extended positions.

It will also be seen that the side sections have frames which are rigidly securable to the frame of the central section by quick release and quick connect latch assemblies and connector loops.

It will also be apparent that, if desired, the side section transverse frame members 97 and 97a may similarly be connected to the outer frame members 29 and 30 by connector loops on either the central section frame members or the transverse members and slots and latch as semblies provided on the other members at the locations of the depressed portions or channels 29 of the outer side frame members.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A boat including: a horizontal central longitudinal section; a pair of longitudinal side sections pivotally connected to said central section on opposite sides thereof and pivotal in opposite directions between upper retracted positions wherein said side sections extend substantially perpendicularly from said central section and extended positions wherein said side sections extend outwardly of said central section and in horizontal alignment therewith, each of said side sections having a longitudinal float means along a laterally outward portion thereof which extends downwardly and outwardly of said central section when said side sections are in retracted positions; and cooperable means on said central section and said side sections for rigidly securing said side sections to said central section when said side sections are in said extended positions, said sections each having deck means of approximately equal widths and the height of each said float means being approximately half the width of said deck means, whereby the width of the boat when said side sections are in said extended positions is approximately one and one-half its width when said side sections are in said retracted positions, each of said deck means being approximately four feet in width and each of said float means is approximately two feet in height, said central section including a frame,

said frame having side portions extending laterally out wardly of said axes of pivotal connection of said side sections; and, means for connecting said side sections to said side portions when said side sections are in said extended positions overlying said side portions.

2. The boat of claim 1, wherein said float means extends outwardly and downwardly of said frame when said side sections are in said extended positions.

3. The boat of claim 2, wherein each of said side sections has front, rear and side walls extending upwardly from its deck means, said walls of said side sections and said deck means of said side and central sections providing a closed chamber when said side sections are in said retracted positions.

4. The boat of claim 3, wherein the top edges of said walls of said side sections are adjacent one another when said side sections are in said retracted positions, and means for connecting said walls of said sections to one another when said side sections are in said retracted positions.

5. The boat of claim 4, and a pair of wheels on said frame of said central section positioned outwardly of said deck means on opposite sides thereof.

6. The boat of claim 5, wherein said wheels are retractable upwardly of said frame and said side sections have downwardly opening housing means for receiving said wheels when they are retracted upwardly.

7. A boat including: a horizontal central longitudinal section; a pair of longitudinal side sections pivotally connected to said central section on opposite sides thereof and pivotal in opposite directions between upper retracted positions wherein said side sections extend substantially perpendicularly from said central section and extended positions wherein said side sections extend outwardly of said central section and in horizontal alignment therewith, each of said side sections having a longitudinal float means along a laterally outward portion thereof which extends downwardly and outwardly of said central section when said side sections are in retracted positions; and cooperable means on said central section and said side sections for rigidly securing said side sections to said central section when said side sections are in said extended positions said sections each having deck means of approximately equal widths and the height of each said float means being approximately half the width of said deck means, whereby the width of the boat when said side sections are in said extended positions is approximately one and one-half its width when said side sections are in said retracted positions, said central section including a frame, said frame having side portions extending laterally outwardly of said axes of pivotal connection of said side sections; and means for connecting said side sections to said side portions when said side sections are in said extended positions overlying said side portions.

8. The boat of claim 7, wherein said float means extends outwardly and downwardly of said frame when said side sections are in said extended positions.

9. The boat of claim 8, wherein each of said side sections has front, rear and side walls extending upwardly from its deck means, said walls of said side sections and said deck means of said side and central sections providing a closed chamber when said side sections are in said retracted positions.

10. The boat of claim 9, wherein the top edges of said walls of said side sections are adjacent one another when said side sections are in said retracted positions, and means for connecting said walls of said sections to one another when said side sections are in said retracted positions.

11. The boat of claim 10, and a pair of wheels on said frame of said central section positioned outwardly of said deck means on opposite sides thereof.

12. The boat of claim 11, wherein said wheels are retractable upwardly of said frame and said side sections have downwardly opening housing means for receiving said wheels when they are retracted upwardly.

13. A boat including: a horizontal central longitudinal section; a pair of longitudinal side sections pivotally connecetd to said central section on opposite sides thereof and pivotal in opposite directions between upper retracted positions wherein said side sections extend substantially perpendicularly from said central section and extended positions wherein said side sections extend outwardly of said central section and in horizontal alignment therewith, each of said side sections having a longitudinal float means along a laterally outward portion thereof which extends downwardly and outwardly of said central section when said side sections are in retracted positions; and cooperabl means on said central section and said side sections for rigidly securing said side sections to said central section when said side sections are in said extended positions, said section each having a deck means of approximately equal widths and the height of each said float means being approximately half the width of said deck means, whereby the width of the boat when said side sections are in said extended positions is approximately one and one-half its width when said side sections are in said retracted positions, each of said side sections having front, rear, and side Walls extending upwardly from its deck means, said walls of said side sections and said deck means of said side and central sections providing a closed chamber when said side sections are in said retracted positions.

14. The boat of claim 13, wherein the top edges of said walls of said side sections are adjacent one another when said side sections are in said retracted positions, and means for connecting said walls of said sections to one another when said sections are in said retracted positions.

15. The boat of claim, 14, and a pair of wheels on said frame of said central section positioned outwardly of said deck means on opposit sides thereof.

16. A boat including: a horizontal central longitudinal section; a pair of longitudinal side sections pivotally connected to said central section on opposite sides thereof and pivotal in opposite directions between upper retracted positions wherein said side sections extend substantially perpendicularly from said central section and extended positions wherein said side sections extend outwardly of said central section and in horizontal alignment therewith, each of said side sections having a 1ongitudinal float means along a laterally outward portion thereof which extends downwardly and outwardly of said central section when said side sections are in retracted positions; and cooperable means on said central section and said side sections for rigidly securing said side sections to said central section when said side sections are in said extended positions, each of said sections having a frame, and a deck means secured to said frame, said deck means of said sections lying in a substantially common horizontal plane when said side sections are in said extended positions, said frame of said central portion having side portions extending outwardly of its deck means and said frames of said side sections having portions underlying said frame of said central section; said cooperable means including means for securing said underlying portions to said frame of said central section.

17. The boat of claim 16, wherein said cooperable means includes means for securing said side sections to said side portions of said frame of said central section.

18. The boat of claim 17, and means operatively associated with said central section and said side sections biasing said sections toward said retracted positions.

19. The boat of claim 16, wherein said frame of said central section is provided with means for attaching said boat to a towing vehicle.

3/1963 Byberg. 6/1964 Levinson.

TRYGVE M. BLIX, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 114-123 

